This was recommended by my niece, met for dinner. Very pleased with everything we ordered. The calamari was tender and not over-cooked, very good and properly seasoned. The artichoke appetizer is highly recommended. The vodka pasta was quite a hit. Portions are on the larger side, plan to take something home.

🔥 🔥 🔥 GO HERE!!!! Dope brunch spot... nice atmosphere, great service, 💣 food!!

+2

Amazing! I just wish I could give them more stars! Nicole's catered my barn wedding in upstate NY and did such an amazing job. The food- from the Hazelnut Chicken Bites to the Pumpkin Ravioli to the Cannolis- was absolutely wonderful and I've received so many compliments from my guests! Just as good if not better was my experience working with the staff. Kate helped me to plan an elegant and delicious day and was really so attentive to my questions in the planning process. The day of, EVERY staff member was incredible. Because of my experience with Kate, I felt very comfortable having them set up our decorations beforehand at the venue and they did a beautiful job. Before, during, and after the ceremony they were so attentive to the needs of my husband and myself and even our parents! Great organization and service with a positive and professional attitude, we feel they went above and beyond. I can't say enough good things and would highly recommend them to family and friends!

I can not say enough about Nicole's and their staff. our wedding day was flawless, from planning to day of Nicole's was professional, organized and prompt with replies. during our wedding they went above and beyond, we never went with out food or drinks. the food was amazing and all our guests are still raving about it. even at one point my dress had an issue and I could not find my mom to help fix it, staff from Nicole's took time to re- string my corset so I was comfortable. would recommend Nicole's again and again to anyone.

I had a very good time at Nicole’s. The salad was light and refreshing while the desserts were amazing. The flourless chocolate cake is worth getting and the cannolis are to die for. The staff was all around amazing and very responsive to any requests we had. Not a large restaurant but they do a great job at using the space. I will be back!

The coconut fresh toast was out of this world. Unique selection of mixed drinks. I have visited for both brunch and dinner many times and I have never had a bad meal. You can tell alot of thought and expertise goes into the menu design. Very tastefully decorated. I will definitely be back.

We held a 40 year reunion dinner for more than a dozen former professional collegues at Nicole's, converging on Albany where we had worked together, many from out of town. Thanks to the professionalism of the management, kitchen and wait staff it couldn't have been nicer. We reserved a lovely private room (the Hudson Room), the restaurant facility set in a city neighborhhod, is busy, inviting and immaculate, the presentation exquisite, the food delicious, the service attentive and cheerful, the cost reasonable and given the quality of everything involved a bargain. Nicole's is a jewel.

I absolutely LOVE this restaurant. This is my favorite restaurant in the area. I have never once had a bad experience and I come to this place often. The food is Perfect and the quality is extremely good for what you pay for. Their specials are always fantastic along with their great drink menu, which is always made perfectly strong! lol. Every time I go to the restaurant and I always try a different dish and it has never steered me wrong. Absolutely fantastic place to go for dinner and is worth every penny. Side note the waitress Casey and Aidan are the kindest people and so much fun! cheers! Best, Nicole :)

I was first here for a wedding reception and they really had set up nicely for the occasion. I loved the drinks they served and since then I've been coming here for drinks with my girls!

Their catering service was amazing for our wedding! My father and grandpa went to the tastings as my husband and I couldn’t make it, and they were so warm and welcoming to them and treated them so well! They had all the foods for them to try and my father and grandpa were able to let them know which they loved for our wedding. The day of our wedding they were more than great! They made sure our tables were set up to perfection and even though my husband and I were super busy taking pictures and saying hello to all our guests they made sure to have someone by our side to always be available to get us drinks or snacks as we made our way through the day and night. They were super friendly with all our guests and helped and catered to any needs they had. They even offered us to try other food that my husband and I hadn’t chosen for our sit down meal. We truly appreciate their services, both food and bar and their price for the amount of things we got was great! Also the baker they work with for our cake, was amazing! We got so many compliments for how good our wedding cake was! Thank you so much for making our day that much more great and easy!

Randomly chose this place before a show at the Egg. Probably the best scallops I’ve had and my wife’s stuffed eggplant was amazing. I would easily drive an hour to go here again.

We had a dinner party for 18 people in the capitol room and it was an amazing experience. The process of booking the event was made very easy, Nicole was incredibly helpful leading up and made sure our group had a great time. At the dinner, the waitstaff was top notch - they went above and beyond to make sure each one of our guests was taken care of. The food was excellent. Everyone raved afterwards about what an excellent restaurant Nicole’s is. Definitely would recommend hosting an event there or just going for a nice dinner!

We cannot say enough about Nicole's Special Events and Catering. Margaret and her phenomenal team (Kate, Tina, and everyone else) made us feel welcome and special every time we walked through the door. Their kindness, generosity, and delicious food always made us feel like we were the most important people in the room. They have always gone above and beyond for us and we're so grateful to them for the amazing service and food. We also got countless compliments after the wedding about their wonderful service and amazing food. We're happy to feel like a part of the Nicole's family!

Nicole's has catered a couple events where I work and was always amazing while doing so. We live close and finally ordered take-out the other night and it was just as good. Haven't tried a dish yet that didn't exceed expectations.

We had such a wonderful experience with the Nicole's team at a wedding this past weekend. Katie, in particular, was attentive to my dietary needs, making sure that each dish suited my allergy requirements. The food was delicious, each person on the team was friendly, lovable, and went above and beyond to make the guests feel special and taken care of. As if amazing food was not enough, the team was an absolute pleasure which really pushed the experience above and beyond.

Amazing food, amazing people, Zoey makes the best drinks in the whole world!

My wife and I finally made it to Nicole's after moving to the capital region 3 years ago. What took us so long? It's been on our list, and it didn't disappoint. The food was well prepared and brought Italian flavors we haven't experienced since moving from Long Island. Calamari was perfect and the accompanying sauce was delightful. Portions for our entrees were plentiful, and my veal was spectacular. Just as good the next night with our take home. The service was excellent. We stumbled onto a night with half-price wine, and our draught Peroni was fresh and ice cold. Waiting to see the Christmas Eve menu and plan on taking our whole family back for a great experience.

The bartender, Zoe, was very nice. I have Celiac Disease, and she let me know all my options on the menu. I didn't have time for a long sit-down meal, but I definitely will be back.

Hiring Nicole’s to cater our wedding day was absolutely one of the best decisions we made! We knew the food would be spectacular after our tasting and, if possible, it was even better on the wedding day when they were feeding 150 other people! We have received the highest compliments from our guests who loved everything from cocktail hour to dessert. They completely nailed our vision of a fall menu, complete with a donut wall full of apple cider donuts instead of cake! They went above and beyond to find beers we wanted, even ones that aren’t widely distributed! Kate, and everyone else we worked with, was prompt with answers to questions, so helpful when planning a wedding felt completely overwhelming, and always delightful to talk to! On wedding day, we had an incredible team who not only made sure we were fed and happy, but were so on top of our timeline, including serving salads while we had speeches so we could maximize dancing and hand delivering a tray of passed bites (and specialty cocktails) to us while we took pictures after the ceremony. If you’re still looking for your perfect caterer, look no further!

I am so happy with my whole experience at Nicoles! My friend and I both got dark espresso martinis- I love how they gave us the options of light or dark espresso martinis. We has Caesar salad to start which was a large portion and was so good. We were also given bread with three different types of toppings. Our entrees were also so yummy. The portion sizes were HUGE and we were happy that we got to bring left overs home. Excited to go back again!

Nicole’s just catered our wedding 9/10/2022 and oh. my. gosh. They absolutely nailed every single detail. Throughout the entire process Nicole’s has been extremely professional and communicative, made everything so easy and I just absolutely loved working with them. Margaret was fantastic and I can’t give enough credit to her. The staff on the day of was EXTREMELY attentive and the food was INCREDIBLE. They even made a specific recipe just for us. I cannot recommend them more. They are truly the best. Shout out to Kay for making sure my husband and I were taken care of all night!!!

This is the place to go on any occasion. Never disappoints. We went for the New Years and Valentine’s Day menu and the food was absolutely amazing. 10/10 do recommend!

Picked this spot for my girlfriend’s birthday dinner and was our first time there and it was amazing, everything was delicious and the service was excellent. I took one hell of a gamble going somewhere for her birthday where neither of us have been and they helped me come through. They were really busy but attended everyone well. We decided to set reservations again for dinner this weekend.

Had a work party here. The staff was attentive and courteous. The restaurant itself looks clean and beautiful. The food was spectacular! Looking forward to my next visit.

The team at Nicole's went above and beyond to deliver incredible food and service at our wedding. From working with us to plan a perfect menu, helping set up our decor the day of and ensuring we had everything we needed throughout the reception, they far exceeded all of our expectations. We thought the food and drinks were delicious, and all of our guests agreed. We would highly recommend Nicole's for any catering needs.

Fantastic restaurant and perfect spot for travellers passing by. We were on our way to Worcester, MA and needed to stop for dinner and found this gem in Albany. The service is outstanding! The food is incredible! The ambiance of the place is relaxed and inviting. I ordered the lobster and shrimp bisque soup which was outstanding, a large house salad, and calamari. They also brought us warm bread with butter, a basil sauce and tapenade and it was delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant.

Beautiful restaurant with equally good service and massive portions! Every dish was delicious and I ordered eggplant meatballs on the side which were the best I've had

Wednesday night, our party of three went to Nicole's, and we enjoyed our meal on the patio. Our server, Casey is wonderful!!!! She is welcoming, personable, attentive at all the right times and very accommodating. We all agreed on how excellent Casey is and her definite contribution to a very enjoyable experience. The food is delicious!!!!! and beautifully presented. To our surprise, Wednesday’s come with a special offer of a selection of bottles of wine at half price. The selections are very good. This restaurant delivers all the way around. You will not be disappointed, so give Nicole’s a try.

Fantastic cuisine, attentive but not obtrusive staff, romantic luxurious atmosphere. The salmon and roasted chicken were prepared perfectly with delicious sauces and fresh herbs.

About 3/4 of the menu was available to be made gluten free. They brought out a basket of GF bread for me before the main meal. The main meal was huge, we didn’t get an app, and I still went home with enough for a full second meal. Would 100% return.

Absolutely love the atmosphere. For a small establishment they've really done a great job with trendy updated decor while keeping the nostalgia. Was there for brunch with friends. 2 of us shared the lobster and crab Benedict; fabulous!! Whisky and classic bloody Mary's were very good. Many choices for every taste from beverage to meal options. Service was impeccable! Highly recommend!

This place is such a hidden gem for brunch in the Albany area! It was my second time coming and another great experience. The food always tastes fresh - I had the avocado toast and it was excellent. Just a note — $5 mimosas for brunch! And bloody Mary’s are delicious also. I will be coming back again soon!

Food is delicious. Zoey makes the best drinks and is so friendly!! I always hope to get a bar seat if she’s working.

Nicole's catered our church banquet. Amazing job all around. The food was fabulous and the staff was very attentive.

Great find on our way home to upstate NY from Boston! Gives an old school Italian, neighborhood vibe with an upscale, eclectic menu, offering a nice mix of traditional favorites and interesting new dishes. I had the Hazelnut Chicken with pasta. It was a great balance of sweet and savory flavors. My husband opted for the traditional chicken parm with pasta. It was outstanding! Our service was top notch with our server thoroughly knew the menu. What a jewel!

Excellent chicken, parm, moist flavorful and linguini and clams. Our server was fantastic right on top of everything. First time there, and we will be back.

Great food and service. We were there on the perfect day to enjoy the back deck. For cooler nights it looks like they have space heater to keep it warmer. Portion size is huge. We split a plate and still had extra to bring home.

Nicole's is an absolute gem! The food is delicious. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The servers are good. I mostly get the salmon with spaghetti squash and it does not disappoint. It's cooked perfectly and the flavors are amazing! 10/10 Recommend.

It was my first time eating at this restaurant. I must say that it was the best experience I have had at a restaurant since covid. My waitress E was so hospitable. she knew the menu very well. She recommended her favorite dishes, the chicken marsala and the most popular dish the hazelnut chicken. Both meals were amazing. E stayed with a smiling face through out the time of my visit. She even handled a situation that arose with another guest very graciously. I would definitely come back. E thank you so much for a wonderful experience.

Best Italian food in the capital district! 6 stars and E is the best!

+1

Nicole's is an outstanding restaurant. We were there on a busy Saturday evening. We had a 7:30 reservation and didn't get seated till after 8pm, but that was OK because the bartender was awesome. I had the spicy clam appetizer and my friend had the short rib with burratta flat bread. That alone could have been her dinner. Then I ordered the new seared scallop dish which comes with a cauliflower puree with bacon bits and peas. My friend had the chicken Picatta with pasta. We split a tiramisu with a candle in it as we were celebrating our Birthdays. Our service was very good and the food was exceptional. We will definitely be back soon !!!

This lovely spot is amazingly good after all these years

Food was so good! We got chicken parm, penne vodka, and some garlic bread. Highly recommend!

First visit here recently. Quiet romantic atmosphere especially in the back. Great meals, we had veal and salmon. Both were excellent as were our drinks and appetizers. Attentive service too.

Smaller , cozy , authentic Italian restaurant , so if you want a table , get a rezy. Alot of locals go there and they were greeted enthusiasticly by the staff. We sat at the bar and had 2 apps, artichokes and lemon basil burrata which were delightful and ample. It was hard to choose a dinner selection because there were so many options- I guess I will have to go back. We had the crispy chicken and broccoli and chicken piccata, both delicious but we needed to take 1/2 home because we were full. The great thing was that the leftovers were as good as the original. So we had another full dinner the next day. Our bartender Zoe was terrific

Here for a bday dinner, the foodwas excellent and the portions sizes were good! Our server Tina was nice and attentive!

Never disappoints with stellar food, service and ambience! The patio in the summer is so charming and the waitstaff is friendly and attentive whether you are outside or indoors. My fave dishes are chicken parm (so tender!) with the best sauce ever and the salmon cooked to perfection. It is tough for me to choose between them.

We LOVED this place. We stumbled upon it because we were staying in the area and it had good reviews. The reviews are accurate. There was not a single thing we had that was not perfect. Butternut squash bisque, fried artichoke, hazelnut orange chicken, and the meatballs. I wish I could remember the name of our waitress but she was so kind and made a lot of good recommendations. Great service, great atmosphere.

Ate on the patio. Really good food, great portions without being too heavy. Quality servers, very responsive. Lovely decor inside, and nice ambiance. Definitely a great place for dinner.

Lovely place. Surprised more people don't know about it. The food is always good, cocktails are excellent and the ambience is cozy and friendly. The food and service are comparable to any upmarket restaurant in the area but priced much more appropriately.

Food and drinks absolutely amazing. Fresh juices and ingredients in cocktails. Staff and service are very personable and our experience could not be better. We will be regulars here from now on. Can't say enough good things. Highly recommend!!

The ambiance is very inviting. The staff was very friendly and attentive. I had the calamari to start. The marinara sauce was to die for!! For my entree I chose the shrimp and scallops scampi. The portion was excellent and the flavor was definitely worth savoring!! I was so impressed I ordered the clams over linguine to take home.. which was excellent, just bursting with flavor. I would highly recommend Nicole's to anyone who wants authentic Italian food served from a friendly staff and at great prices!!

Jackie Adler

Wow, just wow! What an outstanding experience we had dining here last night. My cousin was in town and 3 of us joined her for dinner with a reservation for 5:15. The dining area is cozy and tables were filled on a Friday night, so I recommend making a reservation. Also, we opted to park on the street, but there is a lot right next to the restaurant. The interior (no pictures) was beautiful, warm, and perfect for a winter's night. Very welcoming atmosphere. All of the staff were very pleasant and our waiter, Cody, was absolutely the best. He made a great night out even better with his hospitality and attention to detail. Ask for him if possible. And the food - oh my goodness! Some of the best Italian in the area and my favorite Chicken Marsala out of the ones that I have tried. We started with garlic bread as an appetizer. The order came with 8 pieces and was plenty for our group of 4. I would absolutely get this again. 2 of us ordered the short rib ragu, 1 the chicken parmesan, and I had the marsala. For $3, each of us also added a Caesar salad. I was lucky enough to try both of the other dishes and all of it was delicious. The chicken in both entrees was some of the most tender I have had anywhere. I loved the red sauce in the parmesan and would have bought a jar, but they were sold out. My husband's short rib was tender and the flavor was layered and complex. The pappardelle pasta complemented it perfectly. I absolutely loved my chicken marsala with penne. In addition to the tenderness of the chicken, the sauce was perfection. I am very picky as I have had marsala that is too sweet or is too heavy on the wine. This one was perfectly balanced and was great with the pasta as well. We couldn't leave without trying dessert. 3 of us had a mini cannoli and we all tried a bite of the chocolate flourless torte. More deliciousness and a nice end to the meal. 10/10 and highly, highly recommend planning a dinner here. In the warmer weather, they also have a patio with outside seating. If you are looking for exceptional food and service this is the place to go.

+6

Rhonda Farley

I was there for an adult birthday party. Nicole's had been rented for the party. The buffet was delicious and staff was attentive to all of us and any needs. I would recommend them. I would also suggest making reservations, the facility is quaint

Cassandra Tsyn

Came here for date night tonight with a reservation, Casey our waitress provided excellent service, food was amazing and the Christmas decor was so sweet. Loved sitting in the back. We had the roasted baby carrots, salads, and then chicken parm with Alfredo on the penne and chicken Marsala swapped for the broccoli rabe instead of pasta . Dessert was the key lime pie. We were so impressed and we will be back.

Chelsea

My husband surprised me with reservations for this restaurant to celebrate my birthday. I was blown away by all elements of our experience. Such a kind and attentive waiter. Everything we ordered was so flavorful and well balanced. We were hooked trying their side of meatballs as our appetizer. So moist and perfect. They had top notch cocktails, with great base alcohols. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. The noise level was just right for intimate conversations. Plus they boxed everything for us. Be sure to make a reservation, as it’s worth the hype and space is limited.

Ashley

First time here, forgot to take photos but the food was wonderful. Hot, well plated, and very tasty. Everyone was happy with their dinner. The drinks, service, and desserts were also fantastic. We will absolutely be back!

Irene Gercak

10 out of 10 ⭐s. My daughter and I found ourselves in Albany and stumbled upon this restaurant. Wow are we glad. Wonderful atmosphere, great menu, and service. We had Shrimp & Scallop Scampi & Eggplant Parmesan both wonderful. We sat at the bar since place full even on a Wednesday evening. Michael the bar tender/server took great care of us. If ever back in Albany we'll stop again. Highly recommend.

Amy Konieczny

Chef Michelle went out of her way to prepare us a tried and true favorite on the menu. Truly exceptional customer service from every single person the moment you walk into the door. Nicole’s is a local favorite of ours!

Genevieve Patman

We loved our dinner at Nicole's! Our waitress Zoe was warm, attentive, and attentive. The ambiance felt intimate yet friendly. The menu was fresh and seasonal, and all of our dishes were generous and flavorful. This is the type of restaurant that New look for while traveling, and we will be back!

Kat Flowers

Everything was excellent! What a great hidden gem we have lived around the corner, For years and never ate in! My Twins made reservations for Mother’s Day, Our server was “E” And I have to say she’s probably one of the best waitresses I’ve ever had.. We loved her! Our meal was friendly private, And the food was absolutely delicious! We also had a couple drink drinks, which E recommended for my daughter, And they were fabulous! Bravo, I give Nicole a ten and we will definitely be back. TY E

+2

William Papaleo

Been hearing about this little piece of Albany for some time. We made time to finally get out and enjoy a nice drink and an excellent dinner! Prices were very good compared to other Italian restaurants. Good portions

Ms Kit

The staff here are phenomenal. There are various places to be seated and it's a beautifully lit place to dine in. I order the chicken parm with pasta. From the staff, to the food/drinks, Nicole's exceeded my expectations. 10/10 restaurant.

Leslie Reyes

Randomly found this place on our drive back to Jersey and what a gem 💎 ! The drinks (by the bartender, Michael) were amazing and the food was phenomenal. We got the fried artichokes, the penne pasta with chicken, and the ragu pappardelle and everything was on point. Highly recommend! We’ve been talking about making the drive there just to eat there again.

+1

Sara Pinti

Amazing. The service and atmosphere is just wonderful. If you by chance get Tina as your server, you'll get the best service of your life. Fast, funny, kind, and predicted our needs before we asked. The food was glorious. Let the pictures do the talking.

Meilin Yang

Nicole's Catering was a wonderful choice for our wedding at The Sablewood. Katie and Kate, the coordinators we worked with, were very easygoing and helpful throughout the entire process. They handled everything from the menu to setting up our decor on the tables, including plants and candles. On the wedding day, their staff was friendly, professional and attentive, making sure everything ran smoothly. They even ensured that my husband and I had a chance to enjoy a meal and a drink amidst all the excitement. The bartenders did a great job with our signature drink, which our guests appreciated. Nicole's Catering provided delicious food and reliable service, making our wedding day special. We're happy we chose them as our caterer!! Highly recommend!!

+1

Misty Garafalo

What a gem!!!! Food was fantastic, Emily and Lisa were outstanding! Def need to recommend Lisa and Emily for their attention to detail and helpfulness to staff and customers. Lisa would make an absolute asset of an addition as a manager if the opportunity came about when staff or customers had a question she was on the ball ....both she and Emily ensured our first time at Nicole's was outstanding!!! There was a wedding on the patio when we arrived and even they raved about the food and customer service given tonight! Kudos to you and your staff we will recommend and be back!

+6

One of the best dining experiences in a while. We had a party of 11 and the service was superb. The "queen" waited our table and did not miss a beat. Now let's talk about the food. Absolutely splendid. Bartender quite knowledgeable and made phenomenal drinks. I can t say enough about our experience today. Will be back and will definitely recommend to friends.

Restaurant looks very nice, all of the staff seems very friendly. Our waiter was very very nice, quick to offer help too. Went for brunch, the food was good. The biscuits are dense, like very dense, which isn't to my liking but everything else was very tasty. The candied bacon was perfectly cooked and the home fries are well seasoned and taste great. The French toast dishes look superb and everyone that ordered it enjoyed very much. Would definitely go back again.

The staff was very friendly and courteous..The portion sizes are very generous, so you definitely get a lot of food for your money. I enjoyed eating at this restaurant.

Stopped here while staying in Albany for the night. The place was nice and has a cool vibe with all the dark wood. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. I really enjoyed the chicken marsala and my partner loved his short rib ragu!

I went with my family the other night for my birthday. The food was great! I was bummed out to see that they redid their patio. It was always so quaint and cozy and had such an Italian flair to it. I’m hoping that they’re not complete with what they’re doing out there definitely needs to be warmed up and give it a more cozy feeling Some type of music would definitely be a plus it was very quiet out there no ambience. But again, the food was phenomenal. The wait staff was phenomenal. Definitely be back again.

Attended a private party / dinner in the private room in the back. Great space for our group of 13 to have dinner and celebrate.

howie felterbush

Well worth a visit. Educated bartender was a nice start to dinner. Ceased salad with anchovy. Unfortunately served before app, dressed well. Grilled shrimp, with lemon caper aioli. Forgot aioli and served with cocktail. Shrimp was charred well but not overcooked. Meatball- tender. Deep savory flavor. Nice balanced marinara Broccoli rabe- seasoned well. Garlic wasn’t burnt and bitter. Cooked properly, still tender without being mush. Paprika baked cod with Yukon gold roasted potatoes. Zucchini with garlic & chili oil. Potatoes ranged from mush, perfect, still crunchy. Zucchini, almost too mushy. All three Seasoned well. Tiramisu- served in a coupe glass, nice change from most cut from a hotel pan. Not fresh whipped cream. Fake pseudo chemical taste, Rich's Instantwhip type products ruin everything.

+2

Robert Adamski

Fantastic find in Albany! Nicole’s does not disappoint. :) The food is marvelous. The staff is professional, courteous and helpful. Definitely try the pumpkin risotto if it’s on the specials menu. Cheers from a hungry traveller.

Craig P

Food is always exceptional as is the diverse and ever-evolving menu. Among the best in the area for sure. Service is hit or miss, but when lacking often due to busy days/times. Four star (only) review relates solely to the bar and very inconsistent quality/taste of the venues own specialty drinks (e.g., red sangria, blueberry cosmo, etc.) which at times are beyond delicious while at other times sour or unpalatable. The lack of consistency makes ordering a random event (perhaps not worth the price of admission). The multiple dining rooms also makes for a lotto-like experience as some are cozy and intimate (i.e., spacious and quiet) while the main dining/bar area is very loud and somewhat cramped. Overall, this is still a local favorite that will always be on our revolving “go-to” list simply because the kitchen and chef(s) are amazing!

Busy and warm on a rainy Saturday night. Hearty appetizers clams two kinds generous portions. Chicken sorrento also very large portion with and two different veal dishes. Garlic bread and large sides of pasta. Traditional flavors, large portions nice waitstaff. Cozy and overall good service and good food. Not the best Italian restaurant I’ve ever eaten in but worthy and would go back.

Had never been here and we were excited to try it! The food was excellent, everything was satisfying and flavorful. The garlic bread hit the spot for sure. I had a wonderful pasta dish. We had a reservation and arrived on time but unfortunately weren't seated until 30 minutes after our reservation which was disappointing. They were very busy and I understand things happen but 30 minutes felt like a long time to wait when you have a reservation. They didn't offer us any sort of discount, or a free appetizer/drink or anything like that, so that left me slightly disappointed. It's not exactly an inexpensive restaurant so I would just typically expect a high standard of service, and would certainly expect some sort of accommodation to make up for any shortcomings. I hope this was a one-time issue as the food was lovely! I will definitely be returning to give it another chance.

Rebecca Leah

We were really excited to eat here, but were very underwhelmed. Everything we had was just lackluster, besides the drinks. I tried the penne alla vodka and it tasted like something you get frozen from the grocery store. The sauce was bland and too runny. We also did the braised short rib pasta, but that just tasted like pot roast with pasta thrown in it. We had the fried artichokes which were fine flavor wise, but a little soggy. I will say, the butternut squash soup was objectively really good, but I thought it was too sweet. The atmosphere and the price really aren’t bad, but I’m confused that this place pretty much only takes reservations. I didn’t find it to be remarkable, so I’m not sure how they’re busy to the point you can’t just walk-in. Service was fine, nothing remarkable. Everyone seemed very professional, but lacked warmth.

Robert Fernandez

A quick visit to Nicole's Restaurant in Albany last week. Located in an old building on Albany's "original main street" Delaware Avenue, it looks like it could have been lifted right off Mulberry Street. The interior didn't disappoint either; dark and cozy. The service was excellent as we were greeted warmly and quickly at both the table and the door. Our waitress was very attentive and never overbearing. We started with the fried calamari ($14). I haven't mastered the correct pronunciation of calamari to suit our new home, but it sure ain't "galamar" like it is in Sheepshead Bay. The fried calamari was served with fried jalapeño slices and a very tasty marinara sauce. The fried calamari was fresh and tender, but the portion a bit skimpy. Rings were rare and tentacles the majority of the portion. For our mains, we opted for the substitute house side salads. They were beautiful salads, dressed perfectly and nicely balanced. Well done. The plain house salad added $3 and an additional $5 for the salad with Bleu cheese. For dinner my lovely wife ordered the chicken saltimboca ($26) which included excellent sides of sautéed spinach with garlic and oil and roasted potatoes. The chicken however was a mixed bag, one cutlet was overly salty with over cooked prosciutto. The other was more succesful, but hardly memorable. My meal was a house specialty of "hazelnut chicken" ($28) This is the dish I heard most about when researching the restaurant. This is two boneless chicken breasts, breaded and fried, topped with a sickly sweet hazelnut cream sauce crowned by some canned mandarin orange slices. This is served with a side of pasta coated in the same sauce. This dish screamed for some relief from the sweetness. It's pure sugar with the cream sauce burying what's left of your palette. Ugh. But that wasn't the worst of it. My chicken was raw. The flour coating was raw. This is the first time in my life that I've ever sent back a dish. The waitress was apologetic and quickly returned the dish to the kitchen. When it came back to my plate, it was obviously the same dish, as my sliced chicken breasts were in the exact same position on the plate as I left them. I assume that the chef just placed the plate in the salamander for a few minutes to finish the chicken. Then, the chef dumped more of the sickly sweet sauce over the plate. While the meat was now cooked, this did nothing for the flour on the underside of the cutlets. This quick fix, left the upper cutlet steaming hot, with the cutlet on the bottom of the pile still barely warm. As I mentioned, the waitress was apologetic and quickly worked to remedy the situation, but there was no mention of any accommodation for our trouble; no offer to buy us a drink, dessert or reduce the bill. Not even an apology from the host or manager. We won't be back.